What to Expect at 2017 Colorado Gold

The fun never ends at Conference HQ!

Colorado Gold is only a month away! We’re at the Denver Renaissance Hotel in Stapleton again this year, which will be familiar to some attendees and new to many.

We have over 150 first-timers attending this year, and there are always little changes taking place, so I’ve put together this day-by-day run-through of what to expect at Colorado Gold this year.

Registration is SOLD OUT. Please make sure you register for the waiting list if you would like to attend. We do typically have last-minute cancellations and we will use the waiting list to bring new attendees on board.

Even though we are sold out, there are still a few sessions that existing attendees can ADD to their registration.

Sessions you can still add (if you’re already registered):

• Master Classes
• Hypnosis Sessions (group or one-on-one available)
• Audit Critique Round Table (select sessions only)

If you wish to add a session to your existing registration, the steps to do so are simple:

1. Click on the SOLD OUT graphic from http://RMFW.org/conference
2. When you get to the wait list page, click “already registered” and follow the prompts
3. Click “OK”
4. When you’re at the summary page, click the MODIFY button on the upper row of buttons.
5. Add your sessions.
6. Click through to the end.
7. Process your payment.

Don’t Forget! Bring a Blank Journal to Conference!
RMFW Special Guest, Stuart Horwitz, is delighted to share: Book Architecture has partnered with Cocoon Journal, a non-profit organization that puts blank books in the hands of high school writers. The idea is that by writing, they can clear their head (and maybe generate the first draft of a future project). Do you have some blank journals lying around that you aren’t using? Now, the solution: BRING THEM TO CONFERENCE! Cocoon Journal will be collecting unused, blank journals during Colorado Gold this September. You can also ship blank journals to: Cocoon Journal P.O. Box 740340, Arvada, CO 80006.

The At-A-Glance Schedule and Brochure

First, I wanted to point out that the At-A-Glance (AAG) schedule is organized by floor.

The left-most classrooms are located on the ballroom floor, which is the lower level of the hotel. These include the Ballrooms, Big Thompson, Platte River, and Boulder Creek.

The middle classrooms are located on the atrium level, these are Winter Park, Breckenridge, Snowmass, Telluride, Durango, Steamboat, and Aspen.

The right-most rooms, called the “Peak Rooms” on the schedule are located on the third floor. They aren’t listed on the schedule individually because they are not part of the workshop space. This is where the one-on-ones, the critique groups, and other appointment-only sessions happen. These rooms include Blanca Peak, Longs Peak, Capital Peak, Gray’s Peak, Bennett Peak, Maroon Peak, and Pike’s Peak.

There is a floor plan printed on the back page of the conference brochure, which is available online right now. You will also receive a printed version of this brochure when you check in at conference.

Registration

Registration is located on the ballroom level, at the bottom of the escalators. Someone will be at the registration table for the duration of conference, and available to answer questions or help you with whatever you need. Registration opens Friday at 7:00 AM for the morning sessions and 10:30 AM for the regular conference attendees.

About Appointments and One-on-Ones

If you signed up for an appointment, it is likely that you will have to leave a workshop in session in order to attend. If you need to leave a workshop in-session, this is perfectly fine and happens throughout conference. Simply gather your things and quietly depart. Once your appointment is over, feel free to return to any workshop in-session.

Handouts

Handouts are available online. Check the HANDOUTS page often as we get closer to conference and more are added by our presenters. Please download handouts to your device or print them at home. You *can* download them at the hotel using the public wifi in the common areas of the hotel, but you will have to leave the classrooms to do so. While there is Wi-Fi in the hotel, there is NO Wi-Fi in the classrooms. 

WiFi

Since this comes up quite often, it get’s its own section! There is no WiFi in the classrooms for the presenters or for the attendees. WiFi is available in the common areas of the hotel.

Bookstore

The bookstore is located in Clear Creek on the ballroom level for the duration of conference.

Conference Recordings

CES recordings of all the workshops will be available for purchase near the registration table on the ballroom level. Place your order before the end of the day on Saturday for pickup on Sunday. Orders placed on Sunday will be shipped to you after conference.

And now… here’s a day-by-day walk through of our wonderful conferece!

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Friday, September 8

On Friday Morning, we have appointment-only sessions from 8am to 12pm.

• Master Classes (still open for add-on registration)
• Agent & Editor Critique Round Tables

Check-in for the Friday morning sessions is at the registration table starting at 7:00 AM. Master Classes and Agent and Editor Critique Round Tables begin at 8 AM. Once you collect your registration materials, you will proceed to your assigned room. Check-in for the rest of the conference attendees will open at 10:30 AM.

Master Classes: The Master Classes are located on the ballroom level and atrium level. Check the schedule for your specific room and plan to arrive a few minutes early. Registration is available for these sessions if you’re registered and wish to add it

Agent & Editor Critique Round Tables: If you signed up for a Round Table, these sessions are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Please arrive a few minutes early, and note that there will be signs on the doors so that you know you are in the right place.

Conference Officially Begins On Friday Afternoon:

• 12pm:  New Attendee (or it’s-been-awhile-attendee) Orientation Meeting (bring lunch or plan to eat before)
• 1245pm: 15-minute Standing Yoga to get your day started out right! *stretch*
• Regular Workshops
• Mentor Room Appointments
• 2pm: Hypnosis Group Session (still open for add-on registration)
• One-on-One Pitch Coaching Appointments
• Afternoon Agent & Editor Critique Round Tables
• Plated Banquet Dinner
• Author Signing and Book Sale (free and open to the public)

Check-in for the conference attendees will open at 10:30 AM.  Workshops and appointments begin at 1 PM.

Standing Yoga: Come as you are and enjoy a 15-minute yoga session to get your body ready for the afternoon sessions. Hosted by Bonnie Ramthun.

Mentor Room: The Mentor room is located in Boulder Creek, on the ballroom level. If you have an appointment for the Mentor room, your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. Check in at the main registration table 10 minutes before your appointment.

Hypnosis Group Session: This session will be held in Kingston Peak from 2-4pm. Registration is required. Join this session to unlock your potential and increase productivity, overcome writer’s block, and open up your imagination and creativity.

One-on-One Pitch Coaching appointments: If you signed up for Pitch Coaching, these sessions are located on the atrium level in Winter Park, Breckenridge, Snowmass rooms. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table outside the rooms. Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to check in.

Agent & Editor Critique Round Tables: If you signed up for a Round Table, these sessions are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Please arrive a few minutes early, and note that there will be signs on the doors so that you know you are in the right place.

Friday Dinner: Plated Banquet Dinner on Friday is located in Ballrooms C/D at 6 PM. Join us as we welcome you, honor our volunteers and hear from Diana Gabaldon, our Kickoff Keynote Speaker. There will be a cash bar in the hall outside the ballrooms prior to dinner and a cash bar inside during the meal.

Author Signing and Book Sale: Join us in Ballrooms A/B for an author signing extravaganza! Meet dozens of RMFW authors, our keynote speakers, presenters, and special guests. Buy books and have them signed. The cash bar will be open during this time. This is open to the public, so spread the word!

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Saturday, September 9

On Saturday morning, we have:

• 6am: 1-hour traditional Yoga Class in Ballroom A. Bring a towel or your own mat. (free and open to drop-in)
• Hypnosis one-on-one sessions (still open for add-on registration)
• Continental breakfast
• Mentor Room Appointments
• NLA Story Clinic Master Class
• Agent & Editor Pitch Appointments
• Buffet Lunch (new!)

Morning Yoga: 1-hour traditional yoga class. Bring a towel or your yoga mat from home and enjoy a 1-hour yoga session to get your body ready for the long day of conference. Hosted by Bonnie Ramthun.

Continental breakfast: This is optional and available starting at 7 AM in the hall outside the ballrooms.

Hypnosis One-on-One Session: These are available by appointment only. Experience an immersive one-on-one session to unlock your potential and increase productivity, overcome writer’s block, and open up your imagination and creativity.

Mentor Room: The Mentor room is located in Boulder Creek, on the ballroom level. If you have an appointment for the Mentor room, your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. Check in at the main registration table 10 minutes before your appointment.

NLA Story Clinic Special Intensive Master Class:  The NLA Story Clinic on Saturday morning is located in the Durango room on the atrium level.

Agent & Editor Pitch Appointments: Pitch Appointments are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table for the pitch appointments located on the third floor. Please make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment. If you have any questions or conflicts regarding your pitch appointment, you will need to speak to the volunteers at the third-floor check-in table. Additional pitch appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis while space allows. Any questions about booking additional free pitches should be handled at the check-in table for the pitches with our Pitch Master, Mike Ruchhoeft, and his team of volunteers.

On Saturday afternoon, we have:

• Buffet Lunch (new!)
• 1:15pm: 15-minute Standing Yoga to get your afternoon started out right! *stretch*
• 1:30pm: Regular Workshops Begin
• Hypnosis one-on-one sessions (still open for add-on registration)
• Mentor Room
• Agent & Editor Pitch Appointments
• One-on-One Critique/Blue Pencil Appointments
• Awards Banquet Dinner
• Author Readings

Lunch Saturday is provided. Buffet Lunch on Saturday is located in Ballrooms C/D at 12 PM. Join us as we honor our 2017 PEN Award recipients, and our 2017 Writers of the Year, Shannon Baker and Wendy Terrien.

Standing Yoga: Come as you are and enjoy a 15-minute yoga session to get your body ready for the afternoon sessions. Hosted by Bonnie Ramthun.

Hypnosis One-on-One Session: These are available by appointment only. Experience an immersive one-on-one session to unlock your potential and increase productivity, overcome writer’s block, and open up your imagination and creativity.

Mentor Room: The Mentor room is located in Boulder Creek, on the ballroom level. If you have an appointment for the Mentor room, your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. Check in at the main registration table 10 minutes before your appointment.

Agent & Editor Pitch Appointments: Pitch Appointments are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table for the pitch appointments located on the third floor. Please make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment. If you have any questions or conflicts regarding your pitch appointment, you will need to speak to the volunteers at the third-floor check-in table.

One-on-One Critique/Blue Pencil Appointments: One-on-One Critiques and Blue Pencil Cafe appointments are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table for these appointments located on the third floor. Please make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment.

Awards Banquet Dinner: Plated Banquet Dinner is located in Ballrooms C/D at 6:30pm. Please join us for an evening of fun and celebration as we present awards to our Colorado Gold Writing Contest Finalists and Winners, the Jasmine Award, and hear an inspiring speech from our keynote speaker, Sherry Thomas. There will be a cash bar.

Author Readings in Ballroom A: After dinner, please join us and listen to RMFW authors read their work live. If you signed up to read your work, you will have received your appointment details from our author reading coordinator. Please make sure you arrive before your scheduled reading time.

Cash Bar in “Hospitality Hall”: Hang out in the hall outside the ballrooms after dinner and mingle. There will be a cash bar.

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Sunday, September 10

On Sunday morning, we have:

• Continental Breakfast
• Regular Workshops
• Hypnosis one-on-one sessions (still open for add-on registration)
• Agent & Editor Pitch appointments
• One-on-One Critique appointments
• Farewell Luncheon with giveaways!

Continental breakfast: This is optional and available starting at 7 AM in the hall outside the ballrooms.

Agent & Editor Pitch Appointments: Pitch Appointments are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table for the pitch appointments located on the third floor. Please make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment. If you have any questions or conflicts regarding your pitch appointment, you will need to speak to the volunteers at the third-floor check-in table.

One-on-One Critique Appointments: One-on-One Critiques and Blue Pencil Cafe Appointments are located on the third floor in the “Peak Rooms”. Your specific appointment details will be included in your registration packet. There will be a separate check-in table for these appointments located on the third floor. Please make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment.

Hypnosis One-on-One Session: These are available by appointment only. Experience an immersive one-on-one session to unlock your potential and increase productivity, overcome writer’s block, and open up your imagination and creativity.

Farewell Luncheon: The farewell buffet luncheon will be located in Ballrooms C/D. Please join us as our keynote, Lori Rader-Day closes our conference with an inspirational speech and we draw winners for various giveaway prizes.

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I hope this information is useful as you prepare for conference.

See you in September!